Enjoy the short storm reprieve as a new Winter Storm Watch is issued for Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Hold onto those hopes of sunny, warm beach weather for a bit longer (okay, a lot longer) around Lake Tahoe. As residents around the lake had a much-needed break on Wednesday and getting more of the same through Friday, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Reno has issued a Winter Storm Watch Saturday-Monday.

There will be widespread snow, strong winds, and travel headaches, in other words, more of the same.

The Storm Watch runs from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Monday. Heavy snow is possible. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 2 feet are possible at lake level with 2 to 3 feet above 7000. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph, with up to 100 mph along the Sierra crest.

Peak snowfall rates are currently most likely from Saturday night into Sunday morning. As the storm gets closer, estimated snowfall amounts for Sunday and Monday will be available.

The current forecast from the NWS Reno for the Lake Tahoe Basin:

Thursday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Thursday Night - Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Friday - Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Friday Night - Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 17. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday - Snow, mainly after 10 am. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 30. Windy, with a southwest wind of 20 to 25 mph increasing to 25 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. The chance of precipitation is 80%. A new snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches is possible.

Saturday Night - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 15. Breezy. The chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches is possible.

Sunday - Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Cloudy, with a high near 27. Breezy.

Sunday Night - Snow likely, mainly before 10 pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low of around 10.

Monday - A chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 29.

Monday Night - A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10.